BYD Seal U in Israel: Will it challenge Xpeng and Tesla?

The competition in the mid-size crossover category, already packed with no fewer than 10 vehicles from European, Korean, and Japanese manufacturers, is getting even tighter with the arrival of a new contender (with an asterisk) – meet the BYD Seal U.

While the Seal U shares its name with the manufacturer’s electric sedan, it isn’t based on it but rather on an older model originally powered by a gasoline engine, sold since 2019, hence the asterisk. However, the manufacturer claims it incorporates elements from the new platform. It's also worth noting that the company has launched a more advanced (and pricier) model based on the Seal, expected to reach Europe and Israel next year.

Returning to the local Seal U, its exterior design doesn’t break any boundaries, but its dimensions are certainly generous: 4.78 meters from end to end, 1.67 meters tall, and a wheelbase of 276 cm. Compared to the Atto 3, this adds 33 cm in length and 4 cm to the wheelbase. The trunk has a very respectable capacity of 552 liters (110 liters in the Atto 3).

In Israel, the model will be offered in two trim levels: Comfort, which is the entry-level version, and Design, the more expensive one. In the Comfort version, the equipment includes a 12.8-inch multimedia screen with a feature for rotating to either vertical or horizontal display, Apple and Android connectivity, a 12.3-inch instrument panel, over-the-air updates (OTA), the ability to power external electrical devices, a panoramic roof with an electric shade, LED lighting, heated steering wheel, electric driver's seat with heating and ventilation, electric trunk door, and more. The Design trim adds a larger multimedia screen (15.6 inches), a head-up display, two wireless charging pads, and an air purification system.

Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, door open alert for unsafe lanes, automatic braking even in reverse, and lane departure correction. The Seal U earned 5 stars in the European crash test.

In terms of power, the Seal U will be available with a choice of two versions, both with front-wheel drive, differing in battery capacity, range, and fast-charging capabilities. The first comes with a 71.8 kWh battery, providing a declared range of 420 km and DC charging at up to 115 kW. The second features an 87 kWh battery, offering a declared range of up to 500 km, with fast charging at up to 140 kW, and is paired with the higher trim level.

Both versions are equipped with a motor producing 218 horsepower. The torque is 31.6 kgm in the Comfort version and 33.6 kgm in the Design, with differences in acceleration to 100 km/h: The Comfort is quicker by 0.3 seconds – 9.3 vs. 9.6 seconds. The top speed is the same at 175 km/h.

Prices for the Seal U start at NIS 190,000 for the base version and go up to NIS 210,000 for the Design trim. While the importer’s motivation to expand the lineup and attract customers who find the Atto 3 too small is clear, the Seal U faces a much tougher challenge than its smaller sibling. This isn’t just because of the NIS 15,000 price gap between the most expensive Atto 3 and the base Seal U but mainly due to the competitive environment the Seal U enters. Rivals include models like the Xpeng G6, Seres 5, Skywell ET5, MG Marvel R, the recently discounted Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y in its rear-wheel-drive version, and even pricier options like the Toyota BZ4X or the Skoda Enyaq.